I finished The Count of Monte Cristo, East of Eden, and Lonesome Dove this year, in that order (among other books, but these were the highlights). Wow! Each time I read one, I decided that was my favorite book of all time, only to be met with an even better
one.
Lonesome Dove is just another world. There are no strictly good or evil characters (except one) which is rare. My husband asked me what the book was about (since I couldn't shut up about it) and the best description I could come up with was, "It's a snippet of life." It felt real; each character had me invested in their stories; everyone's faults and strengths were real. I am mighty impressed with the storytelling and skills that Larry McMurtry has in his character building. The ending did puzzle me for a bit, but later it started to feel fine.
Wow, just wow!
What did you think of these books if you've read them, and has any other book ever come close to them for you?
by TheConfusedPrimate
4 Comments
Try the U.S.A. Trilogy by John Dos Passos
Les Miserables
Read The Count of Monte Cristo in high school and loved it. It helped that I had a fantastic English teacher.
Read Lonesome Dove during COVID with a virtual book club and felt the same way you did. I like that we only did a few chapters a day because I savored it.
Goal for 2026 is to read East of Eden
I’m finishing up book two of the Millennium series and was going to read Lonesome Dove next. But I also have the other two on my list so I think I should start with Monte Cristo first as to not spoil the better experience.